RESERVE TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE

THE FPSO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION GUIDANCE MANUAL

INTRODUCTION

Many papers and publications have been produced in recent years on most of the components of the design, contracting, and construction of Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels. Nobody has yet put everything together from conception to commissioning in one single composite document until now! The publication of the FPSO Design and Construction Guidance Manual in Fall, 1999, marks the first time a comprehensive reference work on FPSOs has been available to the industry. The author, Graham Parker, is an acknowledged global industry expert on concluding successful FPSO projects, whether they are new builds or a tanker conversions.The book is divided into these four sections:

Section 1 - Cost Optimization in FPSO Design
Discusses the principal cost parameters, the metocean, reservoir and subsea architecture interfaces and impacts on the design of a floating production system. It is principally orientated towards monohull new-builds, but the effects on conversion concepts and other floating production vessels are also relative and discussed later. It considers the fabricator's role in design optimization and offers conclusive observations on specific areas of overall cost benefits with respect to CAPEX/OPEX trade-offs together with consideration of the safety and reliability aspects.

Section 2 - Contracting Successfully for FPSO Construction
Considers the contracting strategies and documentation structure necessary for the successful contracting of FPSO construction with shipyards. It also considers the bidding procedures and activities required for the provision of a mutually favorable construction price, rewarding contract agreements and prospective contract period relationships. Alliances, joint ventures, partnerships and co-operation arrangements are evaluated for their benefits in major vessel construction in the world's shipyards.

Section 3 - FPSO Construction Management
This section examines the organizational requirements and subsequent introduction of the project management systems necessary for the prosperous construction of major floating production contracts. Special attention is paid to the need for strict offshore construction schedule and quality controls bearing in mind that virtually all of these contracts are built by shipbuilders or ex-shipbuilders. Opinions and findings are offered on the objectives, interfaces, relationships, responsibilities and human resources required for ultimate success.

Section 4 - Tanker to FPSO Conversion Considerations
This section considers the differences between the design, contracting, and construction activity relationships for the conversion of existing trading tankers compared to new-build FPSO's. It also investigates the risks inherent in the buying and conversion of existing, and particularly, older vessels.

Mr. Parker has participated in 5 such projects, ranging from the North Sea to the Gulf of Mexico, and has worked with clients, Engineering and Construction contractors, shipyards, and fabrication yards to give him a background shared by only a few other industry consultants. His industry experience and FPSO problem-solving experience spans three decades drawing on his practice as a naval architect as well as his engineering talent.

The five projects Mr. Parker has been directly involved with are:

• Sun Oil "Balmoral" - World's first purpose-built Floating Production Vessel
• Leviathan's "Sunday Silence" TLP for the Gulf of Mexico
• Conoco's "Heidrun" Early production system FPV and FSO
• Texaco's "Captain" FPSO for North Sea
• Petro-Canada's "Terra Nova" FPSO

Mr. Parker is currently employed by INTEC Engineering in Houston, TX, (USA) as the Project Manager of Floating Production Systems Projects. He draws heavily on his many years of experience working for Coflexip, Conoco Norway, British Shipbuilders, and Haugesund Mek Verksted A/S. He has held a series of progressively more responsible positions ranging from FPSO Development Manager to Project Manager and Construction Manager.

Mr. Parker and INTEC Engineering will be offering seminars on FPSOs in conjunction with the publication of this document. You can contact them directly for further information on these seminars at their web site.

The manual is currently available only from the publisher.

Please mail your company check or money order to:

Reserve Technology Institute
2610A Dunlavy Street
Houston, TX 77006, USA

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